I seriously need more than a driveway alarm to remind me of some of the regular things I need to post in this blog.

I have been quite amiss posting our monthly family pictures on this blog. I knew that this year scrapbooking would take a backseat in my life so I just had two goals – 1. To be able to summarize what has happened with our family every month and 2. To have a decent enough family picture each month. So far, I have been successful.

Here are our family pictures from April to August.

Read more… »

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While most car lovers often dream about owning the next luxury car and spending on Ferrari parts without batting an eyelash, computer geeks like me (who love to do things in Photoshop) dream about owning a Mac.

And last August, Santa came a little too early to deliver my Christmas present! We got a an iMac for free, care of my new “boss” who is so kind to trust me by investing this baby.

As of this writing, I am still working my way through Mac-a-Rooni (her name, yes she’s a girl). It is true – once you Mac, you never go back. The applications and the colors and the fact it never hangs and is virus free is enough for one to forget about the PC. The only thing that I am having trouble letting go of with the PC is the Windows Live Writer – where I blog so quickly and easily.

Any suggestions on a blogging software I can use with a Mac?

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There goes my desire to properly welcome the start of the –ber months with a blog entry. This post comes in 25 hours late, as it is the 1st hour of the second day of the 9th month of the year!

Time flies so fast – a cliche, but very true indeed. How many times have I uttered these words in this blog throughout the years? So many things have been happening month after month this year and I am a bit sad that I am unable to chronicle it well. Even my scrapbooking has had to take a back seat with everything that needs my attention. I can always do a rack card printing of all the events of 2010 and hand them out as newsletters but 1) I am not famous! 2) Our life, as publicly disclosed as it seems, still is very private, and I would like to keep it that way.

And even if it is Thursday already, I want to play!

1. Great start of September – routine wise. I was able to insert some form of exercise.

2. New (better) sleeping patterns for all of us at home.

3. The kids’ good performances at school.

4. Wonderful work opportunities.

5. Family (birthday) plans

6. Quick processing at the DFA for our passports – Our family of four was done in a hour! Kudos DFA!

7. August, the “sickies” month, being over!

8. Everyday SMS-ing with the husband.

9. Survivor Philippines.

10. Flawless skin, for now.

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The value of money and savings are some of the most important things that children need to learn. Since my children are quickly growing up, I feel the need for them to learn this. I would not want them growing up not knowing how to handle their money or always turning to payday loans because money is always lacking.

So I plan to embark on a mission to teach my kids the value of money and savings. Below are some nuggets of financial wisdom I got from my readings.

• Where does money come from? Some kids feel that their parents have an unlimited supply of money. By explaining to them where the money comes from, they start to understand the importance of having money and keeping it. Let them know that money comes from the work that you do.
• Start with allowances. If your child is old enough to be given allowances then do so. Let them have free reign over what they want to do with it. Talk to them to let them know that not spending the money and saving it is an option they could take.
• Open a bank account. Having their own bank account is such a huge thing for most kids. Once they have saved enough up on their own, either from their allowances or from gifts from friends and relatives, bring them to the bank and let them open their own bank account.
• Stop buying them stuff. Once you have given them allowances or they already have their own bank account, it would be best if you stop or lessen the stuff you buy for them especially if they do not really need the stuff. Tell them that from now on, since they already have money, you would have to let them buy some of the things that they want but do not really need.

It is invaluable once kids learn how to handle their own money and to save. Hopefully, I successfully impart these values to mine.

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A good friend Faye just celebrated her birthday last August 8th and now wants to share her happiness by doing a giveaway in her blog – make sure to go here to know more!

Here is what you can win!

1st price – Ladies Chronograph (big face) watch

2nd price – Kate Spade kikay kit (orange)

3rd price – Kate Spade kikay kit (floral)

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Have you heard of cherished number plates? This is just another name for personalized number plates. These are the number plates that have words and letters wittingly combined to mean something. You would often see these in a lot of cars nowadays because they are growing increasingly popular. These are some of the places where you can get them.

Number plates Dealer

There are several number plates dealers available and most of them can be reached online. If you’re not sure about the availability and price of the combinations that you want, then contacting these online dealers might just be the most convenient way to get your personalized number plate.

Registration

Number plate registration companies have a database of personalised number plates that are still available for purchase. This is another place you can visit to check for combinations that might catch your fancy. The personalised registration portion of the agency offers various types of cherished plates and the appropriate price for each type.

Car Number plates Auctions

There are auctions for cherished plates. If you have the money and are willing to spend a considerable amount on the plate combination you’re looking for, then these auctions might be a great idea. There are auctions conducted daily by various number plates dealers.

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Personalised number plates are very useful in a lot of ways and are fun to own, but they are a little pricy and quite impractical especially if you don’t have a lot of money. Fortunately, there are several ways to keep the price down and to help get you cheap number plates. Here are some of them.

Familiarize yourself with the different types of plates

There are several types of personalised plates available and price varies significantly from type to type. It would be best to get to know these types first before you start thinking about the combination that would fit your budget.

Stick to initials

Instead of spelling your name or whatever word out, it is still cheaper to stick to initials rather than to force five to seven letter combinations. These two belong to separate categories of personalized plates and there’s a hefty price difference between them. Forcing the issue can cost you an extra hundred pounds.

Wait for bargain deals

Just as there are auctions for personalised plates, there are also bargains. If customizing is still too much for you, then you can wait for number plate registration companies to offer bargains on combinations that just might suit your taste.

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Parenting is the hardest but most rewarding job in the world. Even the highest-paying sales jobs are a far, far second to it. It maybe frightening, tiring, and there is no way out when you’re in, but being able to take part in raising God-fearing and responsible kids is priceless. And then even if you may not be able to see the fruits of your hardwork, you are assured that someday, you will know how you fared.

I love being a Mom!

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